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RV-8 N784DE 'Contrary Mary' - Brent Owens

panhandler1956

Well Known Member
RV-8 Specs:
Slow build kit
Serial number 8-2614
Started in October 2006
Completed in August 2011
2425 hours total
Empty weight 1144

-IO-360-A1A angle valve with 10:1 pistons (207 hp per Horton’s equation)
-Inverted oil
-Hartzell C/S with 7666 blades
-Bendix Mags with shower of sparks for start
-Bendix Horizontal FI

-Smoke oil tank aft of the rear baggage compartment
-Grove airfoil gear
-Custom speed sloped windshield w/modified fwd baggage door
-SS fwd bagg door strut
-Baggage compartment lights front and rear
-Flood lighting (toggle under the canopy rail wire to hot batt turns all int lgts on)
-Vinyl graphics by Flyboyz Accessories- thanks Vince!
-Custom C/B panel
-Andair fuel valve
-Matco parking brake
-Aluminum eyeball vents front and rear
-Ground adjustable rudder pedals with heel extensions
-Reservoirs on the master cylinders
-Brake return springs

Access panels for:
-Instrument panel from fwd baggage
-Smoke oil filler
-Aft Battery access panel
-Gear tower webs are removable
-F804N bulkhead covers (upper access) for map lights/ELT panel

Instrumentation:
-AFS3500EE
-Dynon D60
-GNS 300XL
-Garmin 696
-GTX327
-Sigtronics Intercom
-Aux audio in
-12 volt recepticles front and rear (can be used to trickle charge batt via HBB)
-ACK ELT

Cockpit:
-Dayton Murdoc round-top throttle quadrant
-Crow 5 pt harnesses
-FlightLine sheep skin seats with temper foam - thanks Abby!
-Infinity grip front
E trim
Cooly hat side to side activates AFS checklists
Smoke oil
PTT
Flip/flop
Flaps

Other:
-LED nav lights
-Duckworks landing/taxi lights
-Heat pitot probe
-7220 primer throughout including interior
-Nuvite polish
-Exterior paint- Builder applied Duplicolor paintshop lacquer base/clear

The name Contrary Mary comes from both my youngest daughter’s name and it was a Mustang that served in WWII in the 78 flighter group / 84 fighter squadron in Duxford, England - hence my N # is N784DE

1st Flight Video Here

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pic of my panel during construction (don't have a recent one)
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This is the origninal 'Contrary Mary' that my paint scheme is loosely based on.

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My hat is off to you, Brent. A real work of art!

I can say that it looks beautiful close up, too!

One thing Brent didn't mention is that many (most?) of those 2425 hours were spent between the hours of 4:00am and 6:00am to minimize the impact the build would have on time away from family or work. Brent does awesome quality work, is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, and will jump to help a friend at the drop of a hat.

Great job!
 
Awesome

Really looks stunning! Super job Brent! Dave PS Love the raked windshield ;-)
 
Really nice job, Brent. I've enjoyed your posts on VAF, and your airplane is an inspration.

Love the way the black-and-white spinner turns gray when it's rotating. :)
 
Looks Great!

Brent, I've been following your build the last year and a half, and I have to credit you with A LOT of help on my own build from your outstanding builder's log! Your airplane looks fantastic, you should be very proud! Enjoy flying it!
 
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